A simple story II part 12
#12 of A simple story II
The first question Fred arose was to ask himself where he was. Before opening the eyes, he knew that he wasn't in his usual sheets. These were rougher, warmer and his nose informed him that they were also dirtier without it inspires him some disgust.
Opening his eyes, he didn't recognize his ceiling. His was flat, this one protected with white roughcast.
Quickly, he remembered that he had not gone home, but he had spent the night with Matt, who was staying at the top of his leather bar. Fred turned, feeling the empty spot. Outside, a full sun already shone through the curtains. The sound of cups and glasses from the kitchen completed to wake him. What time it could be ?
Fred brought his attention to Matt's alarm clock who showed ten and a half hours. The teenager rested his head on the pillow, licking his lips, grimacing slightly under the effect of a slight rectal pain that brought him back all his memories of the night before.
A thin smile, Fred remained lying down a minute, satisfied and happy, before bring themselves to stand up. He didn't wanted to abuse the hospitality of Matt.
He looked down, but found none of his clothes. Normal, he has stripped in the entry. The floor was hot under his feet but he could find no trace of his clothes or he had left them. The sounds of culinary activity were more frank and Fred entered the kitchen or the first thing that jumped him in the eyes were the Matt's round and muscular buttocks, standing in front of the stove or he was frying eggs and bacon. He must have had the heavy foot because Matt spoke to him without even turning his head.
« Slept well ?
Fine, thanks. Uh, you know where are my clothes ?
On the couch.
Thank you. »
Fred was satisfied with the response, and headed his belongings loose on the couch. Rummaging among his clothes, he found his phone. He took the time to turn it on and to his satisfaction, saw no message left during the night. Fred quickly struck a message saying that he wake up and he would be home before noon before closing his phone and retrace his steps naked. Back in the kitchen, he admired the male buttocks who moved from time to time according to the gestures of the rhinoceros which this time turned his head, smiling.
« Looks like you really love what you see ! »
Fred smiled, a little embarrassed, approaching. Matt wasn't wearing any clothes, even an apron to protect himself from the shards of cooking bacon.
« There is some coffee in the pot. Let me serve you. You'll have eggs ?
Two in general, but I don't want to disturb...
Oh, you're going to stay for breakfast ? It is not very polite to escape once his balls emptied, you know ! »
Fred was quite agree, entering the kitchen, the sight a little attracted by the hole made by the ring, but attentive to the rest of the rhinoceros hairless and muscular body.
Matt was aware of the attention which he was subject, it filled him with pleasure. Fred looked around that and found the coffee.
« The cups are on the shelf at the top.
Thank you. Did you have a good night ?
And a good evening before. You too I hope. »
Fred smiled, the wide cup in hand, beginning to use.
« I've never experienced anything like that. But I imagine that it will not always be like this...
- If that were the case, I think we would be tired quickly, you know. But every night is different. Some are wasted, some passable but sufficient, and you will forever keep others in your memory. I don't want to seem to be without heart or cold but... You're not falling in love with me, I hope... »
Fred, who drank hot coffee, almost spit it out. He however had to wipe slightly with the back of his hand.
« Uh... No, why ?
- Good. I'm just suspicious. You, young people, you tend to be carried away yourself quickly. It's not that I consider you to be just a one-time thing, it's just I love someone else already. And I like to make it clear from the outset. »
Matt had removed the pan from the heat and slide the eggs fried on two plates, also with smoked bacon he placed on the table. Fred took his place.
« Happen to you often ?
This happened to me. Yea. I was just a little older than you, and after a first date with a girl I imagined already live with her. I can not tell you the descent of trip once she had me understand that for her, I was just a one night stand. I spent weeks to complain on my bed after.
A girl ?
Yes. I didn't look at but I'm bi. Men's trend certainly.
If you want to marry someone else, I imagine well. And it is so that I will be for you in the end ? A booty call ? »
Fred sported a broad smile bouncing sarcastically on the words of Matt, who understood the remark.
« In a sense, Yes. But hey I'm not against to spend other times as appropriate with you, if you want.
I think I'd like that, Yes. The night has passed so quickly !
As long as I'm single, I'm free of my actions. Then, it will be to the whims of my love. But even if Emiliano refuses to share me, I'll be satisfied.
That's who you plan on marrying ? Your guardian ? I thought that he was just leaving.
This is the case. It is for this that the bar will be closed tonight in addition to the weekly rest Monday. I will join him at his home to finish packing and spend time with him. The next few years will be rough for us two.
Why he's leaving ?
He joined the army. Three-year contract. This isn't the best news for me, but I understand his motivations.
Why to enlist then ? »
Matt playpen his meat between two responses. He looked at Fred, who understood that he was sizing him.
« You're a good guy, and I feel that I can trust you. If Emiliano leave instead to stay and marry me directly as I want, it's because he doesn't really have the right to be here. »
Fred began to understand.
« Em arrived here four years ago. In the United States. He fled the Belize after his father had shot his lover after having caught them in bed. He stayed a while to the South of the State, but he did not stay too long in the same place to avoid immigration services. He arrived in the city and I found it hidden behind the bar. I'm not the kind to denounce people, especially if their only crime is to want to escape death. Em knows that he will die if he is returned to his country. I refuse that to happen.
I understand. But then why he won't marry you now ? That gives them rights, no ?
Em can get married, but it does not erase his clandestine status, Fred. And the marriage gives no right of residence. He would be deported within the week. In the state of the current federal laws, he must justify a stay more than nine years and a clean criminal record to be regularized and to be able to apply for American citizenship.
Whereas if he joined the army...
He will become an American citizen more easily and quickly. I don't like the idea to see him go, but I understand his reasons.
Obviously, I won't say a word.
I know. One of my gifts is to judge a person quickly and easily. And if I'm not emotionally speaking to you, Fred, I love the person that you are. »
The two men had finished eating. Fred looked at the rhino talk about himself, a little incredulous about what he heard.
« The first time I saw you, I saw nothing but than a frustrated high school student who came into my bar to find a cock. You're far from being the only or the first. Boys like you that come with a false licence, I see one or two a month. Em is responsible for making a first selection and he eliminates most, don't let those whom he deems strong enough character. Then I take the relay. And I'm doing to discuss discreetly and honestly with him. At this stage, others never come back then, or almost. Either they have satisfied their curiosity, they felt that the place was not made for them. And then there's the boys like you. Filled by a mixture of curiosity, impulses and willingness. The kind of boy who knows what he wants and is not afraid either to show his hesitations. You already know what you want to do later ? Apart from getting a blow in my bar of course... »
Fred smiled on hearing the salacious words of Matt.
« Engineer. I have a passion for helicopters and I want to work in this environment.
It's good to know what you want and be realistic. In addition, there are plenty of areas or engineering is required in addition to these aircraft.
I know, but this is my first choice. Dad wants to get me back in his garage later but it would really only be the case of last resort.
Your father is aware?
That I'm here ? No, certainly not. You'd be dead otherwise I think.
I believe you without problem...
On the other hand, yes, he knows I like guys. This shook him, but he's ok. It's the same for you ?
No. My parents cut all links with me when I told them, they are from the old-school, Bible on the nightstand, Gun in it and makes Trump save America !
I see.
Hell... I'm still wondering how did we survived that jerk... »
Matt stood up, taking the dirty dishes and placing them in the sink, running a top water to rinse them.
« If they can't get used to this idea, it's their fault, not mine. I have to do with ignorant and stubborned parents, they could do with having a bisexual son. »
Fred rose too, not too knowing what to do.
« Can I take a shower ? My mom's going to drown me in a bucket of detergent if I come back like this.
- Of course. One moment. »
Fred went over to the bathroom and opened the door, admiring a moment, the large and airy room. On the left, sink and WC were faced with a washing machine and a dryer. The ground was also made of wood, smooth and warm to the touch. Inside, a shower. But no bathtub, Brown tiled floor and a glass of transparent glass protection indicated the separation. Behind Fred, Matt opened a closet in height and gave Fred a large towel white, thick and soft.
« Soap is in the shower.
You expect me to bend over for it, isn't it ?
Well, if this tell you, I am not against.
Thanks, but I'll pass. I feel that my ass became a cauliflower since that night. On the other hand...
On the other hand ? »
Fred approached Matt, smile on the lips, one hand on the hip of the rhino, stroking the thick skin. Matt returned his smile while Fred gaze lingered on his member thick and resting.
« I'm not tired to see something so beautiful. »
Matt watched the boy face to him, mesmerized by his sex and the ring.
« Thank you. You can taste a little if you want. But not too much. I am saving it for Em today... »
Fred slowly knelt down, sticking his nose against the glans and the ring, enjoying the contrast of sensations and different heat, slightly disappointed having to settle for the strong smell.
« This smells good here...
Mmm Yes... It's been four days I'm not washed.
Can I wash it ?
Next time, I want Em to enjoy it too !
Mmm I understand... »
Fred was not hiding his disappointment, but he would have to do with. That didn't stop him to run a finger along the ring, quickly finding the bottom port through which he passed to the urethra. Matt felt more excited by the touch of the young man.
« How'd you like to have one ?
Here ? I do not know... Also probably... It hurts ?
A little, yes, I won't lie to you. But the most distressing, it's forced abstinence during the adjustment period. Three months without touching yourself, you go crazy.
Mmm I'll probably consider somewhere else then. »
Matt, in the face of the boy, more weakly resisted face to his desire. He would have liked again but on the other hand he wanted to keep himself for his lover. Fred noted that Matt was not seeking to push his advantage. It was clear to the young man he was trying to demure him in good and due form. However, he left his nose near the glans, enjoying the strong masculine smell.
« I have to pee if you don't mind... »
Fred bit his lip, remaining in place, acting as if he had not heard. Between his thighs, his swollen and glistening sex showed his new excitement to the rhino. Matt was seduced.
« Feel like a little shower before the real ? »
Still kneeling, Fred blushed heavily. Had Matt guessed his last desire ?
« Can I ? »
Matt nodded.
« Kneels in the shower, the hands in the back. »
Fred's did not let him say it twice and put in position while Matt slowly approached, his half inflated sex between the thighs, rubbing the tip against the nose of the boy to stir up even more his desire.
He standing in front, great virility, feet apart, filling the bathroom of his powerful musk, the orifice of the urethra pointed toward the face.
« Close your eyes. »
The command, imperative, arrived in time. Fred hardly had obeyed that he opened his mouth to let out a sigh of satisfaction, feeling the hot urine to clothe him, the jets striking his body stripped on his face, then his chest and finally his belly and his sex. Fred wanted to touch, but once again he submitted to the orders of the adult.
Feeling the urine hit his naked body, the boy opened his eyes and saw indeed the two streams of urine flowing from Matt's sex, since his natural orifice and the base, logical consequence of the presence of the ring. The boy liked the offering and showed himself satisfied and disappointed before Matt's empty bladder.
« Gets on all fours now ! »
Once again, Fred was set up as required, wondering what would happen to him. He heard Matt sit on the cold tile of the shower. Fred understood therefore that the place had certainly been built specially for such breaks. It included also the desire of Matt when he felt his hand close over his sex, starting to masturbate him slowly, then more in more quickly at the as his excitement, the young man being unable to contain his pleasure orally.
« Oooooh yes ! Like this !
- Dirty little pig, you like being milked, right ? »
The degrading and dirty image was necessary in the minds of Fred, which reinforced his desire and his lust. The youth of his body allowed him a certain ease to increase his desire but on the other hand, its relative inexperience limited his stamina. Matt realized that Fred would enjoy feeling his fingers becoming sticky. He quickened the pace and Fred quickly couldn't contain himself, his hips moving up while he enjoyed cumming beneath him on the clear brown tiles, growling his orgasm.
Once emptied, Fred rested on his four members, beating heart again, shortness of breath. Having accomplished his duty again, Matt stood and threw a last glance at the young man finally satisfied, finally walking away.
Fred raised his head and his eyes met Matt, satisfied, proud also of having started to teach some good things of life to the boy always dripping of urine.
« Thank you... I needed that...
- You're welcome, boy. »
The boy got up finally, resting his back against the tiled wall, wiping the sweat from his face. He was finally satisfied and relieved from his needs, his missing frustrations. Fred began to understand what adult sexual life would brought to him.
--
The boy was barely aware about what he heard about him. Back talks, the so called discreet laughs, Fred was used at them now. His talk at the rhetoric club was why now no one ignored about his homosexuality and when some asked if it was true, Fred agreed to the more or less frank question. A blunt « yes », not leaving any doubt in the minds but leaving still some on the sights. He had some hostility sometimes. More often, they didn't cared about. His hand busy trying to get his cell's left on his locker, Fred was busy reading the text on the screen. Just a question on the screen, then on his face.
« Seeing after your training ? »
Fred looked at the message's time. It was sent just after the end of the noon classes, two good hours before then. He didn't looked at his cell before to put it on his locker to be free to train properly end to free his pockets. It was coming from Francis. Fred though than it was useless to answer that, the boy sure went home since a while.
Fred put his cell back on his pants before to get his dark green jacket on his shoulders and to close his locker, his backpack on his shoulders. Behind him, some others trainees were going to the showers or coming back from, some naked and the others with a towel at their hips to keep a minimum of public decency. He waved at them leaving, getting some waves back from some, others don't bothering to answer, some didn't see him to leave. Fred was trying to ignore the pain signals his muscles were sending to his brain, not fully succeeding.
The door closed, Fred walked alongside the hall leading to the main door. He zipped his jacket, feeling the outside wind getting over the inside AC. Outside, a large sun was brighting. A false sign, the blue sky being unable to hide the strong cold blowing in the air, the sun being going down on that late fall.
« Shit... »
Fred could see than despite having no answer, Francis was waiting for him, standing near the outside wall. He was for sure happy to see him, but he didn't liked the idea to had made him waste his time. How he would take it ? Fred walked anyway. The donkey smiled a bit seeing Fred coming out of the high school. He smiled at him back.
« You waited for me ? I'm sorry if I didn't replied, I got your message just getting out of practice. »
Francis stood a dead sight upon Fred, talking with a sad voice.
« It's ok. I thought it was just that. »
Francis got his own cell back on his pocket.
« Everything's ok ? No troubles with the team ?
- No, it's fine. My guess if than whatever they though about me, they changed their mind once I kicked their ass. »
Francis smiled despite his sorrow.
« How are you ?
- As a guy who buried his father in the morning, I guess. »
Fred nodded. Everybody knew why Francis was not in school.
« You have some ? »
Fred looked at Francis, wondering what he was talking about.
« Weed. I think than I need a bit some today. How much can you sell me ? »
Fred looked at Francis, amazed.
« Im not a dealer, Francis. And I don't want to see you becoming a junkie, especially these days. I need a bit some too. Maybe you could come with me and share a bit some ? »
Francis's sight got brighter then.
« I sure will then. No matter what, Mark is too close to Greg's drawers checking on them to allow me to begin some at home. He's just at the limit to make him pee on a test tube these days. »
Once again, Fred nodded. The walking boys left the school behind them, following the orange light of the slowly setting sun, the cold underlining each of their words with a thin trail of fog.
« Anyway, I'm sorry for your father. It shouldn't happened to him. »
Francis was trying to keep his head straight, but each time he was thinking about him, he was lowering his sight and he let the sorrow coming back.
« Thanks. He was not the perfect one but he was the only family I had left. I don't know where is his ex-wife and my gramps are gone since a while. I'm on my own now.
Not really. You have Greg now. And his fathers.
I know, but it's not the same. And... I feel than we're drifting apart since some weeks now.
Really ?
Yea. We're still together and I still love him but I see what are between us now. Also, he keeping things for him now. I'm not stupid, I see how Greg and Ed are talking like spies when I'm near them. We'll part ways soon, Fred. I want to leave. Leave the Colorado for good. Nothing keep me here anymore now. I began to apply for scholarships in California and I have the feeling than Greg will not follow me.
It's so sad. You're making a so nice couple. »
Fred was sincere. And deep inside him, he still had that regret and in a way, the tough to see them going away was enjoying him a bit. An intense shame over-melted him and he took care to get his thought on the right track.
« At least you'll spare yourself the cold. I lived in New England some years and I never enjoyed the winter here.
You know what you'll do ?
Not really. I know a bit but I'm not sure. I must begin to seek too because I know than my folks will never have the money to send me to college. Being rid of their debts is already a miracle.
If you want an advice, Fred, don't wait. The good paces are taken first and early. If you're late, you'll have what's left, not what you want. »
Fred smiled. Francis words had another meaning for him. His failure to seduce him. The boys were arriving at Fred's place. Fred opened the door, letting his friend in, closing behind him.
Francis looked around him, seeing again the place he was a guest in some days before. He tried to see if someone else was here. Fred saw it.
« We're alone. Dad will not be back before 8 and mom a bit before. »
Fred was then surprised to see Francis jumping at him, hugging him close on his arms, rubbing their cheeks before to kiss him on his lips.
It was far from being unpleasant, truth to be told, and Fred dreamt about sometimes. But he felt guilty enjoying the moment. It seemed than Francis felt the same, releasing his kiss and his hug.
« I'm sorry. I dunno what happened. I should...leave... »
Fred shook his head. His entire soul was against the idea. He took Francis's hand on his.
« No please...Stay.
- I can't. It wouldn't be fair. For Greg. His fathers. »
Fred was having the same doubts. The same remorses. He didn't wanted to betray his friend that way, not the men who saved his life twice too. Fred saw than Francis was crying, his tears rolling on his cheeks.
He sure wanted to take advantage of the situation and on the other hand, he knew all the damages he'd do.
« You're right. But you can't stay alone too. Greg...
- He's busy. I have no one beside you. »
The boy understood the trap on which he was about to fail. He understood too Francis friendly needs. More than sex, he needed someone. A good company. And that, Fred was willing to provide. He got his shoes out, asking to Francis to do the same.
« My weed is in my room. We're making a big boof and we'll feel better after, ok ? »
Francis was fine with that, getting his shoes out too. The day was filled with emotions when he saw his father's coffin under the ground, getting covered with the ground, making his disappearance full and definitive. Sadly true. Francis sat on Fred's bed, looking him opening his drawer, turning it upset down, getting a plastic bag, taking a large boof previously made. Fred light it, inhaled some of the smoke, keeping the boof at his lips.
« Mmm it feels so good. Sometimes, the training is so intense and it's better than to get pills instead. »
Francis nodded at those wise words. Fred was beside him, busy making another jay.
« Don't want to share ? »
Fred shook his head, smiling.
« No. I need something different. I need a Sativa. I'm preparing you Indica. Weed is like wine you know. There are for any occasion and kind of meal and you'll ruin everything giving the bad kind. »
Francis nodded. he waited for the jay to be ready, inhaling the smoke, keeping it easily this time.
« Truth to be told, I didn't see you fighting.
Same for me, but dad made the things clear. He let me having the choice and to the end, he was right to do so. It's so boring to see how often our folks are right about a lot of things.
- It's nice seeing him ok.
- Yea. The price is not so high. Just being able to fight back. Greg told me than Mark's dad kicked him out when he knew. I'm sad about your father. He was cool about that, right ? »
Francis was on the bed, his hands on the blanket behind his back, trying to speed up the drug's effect on his devastated mind. It was beginning to work because he didn't cried this time.
« He never complained about that. I think than he didn't cared about it. Him and me were what's left of the family. I like to think than if he lived he would be fully ok about that. »
Fred saw then Francis getting his hand on his shirt, getting the thin sliver chain and the wedding ring, kissing it, understanding the devoted gesture to his dead father.
« You know the ironic ?
No.
His death will for sure save the murderer's life. Mark has a friend cop, they talked about the case. The killer talked to avoid the chair. He took the victim's parents offer to kill my father, they didn't agreed with the 15 years sentence. »
Sat near Francis, Fred was breathing slowly, he heard too about the case.
« The coroner said than dad fought back and because of that, the killer didn't saw than his glove broke letting a nice fingerprint on the blade. It's how they got him and he talked. It's sure a good weed, you sure you can't sell me some ? I'll find a place to hide it. »
Fred was less and less aware about Francis' tones changes. The weed was having an effect on him too now, his muscles feeling less painfull. The jumps to a subject to another didn't seemed so illogic now.
« I'm sure. But you're welcome to come and share.
Thanks then. But you're right. I must leave Greg out with that shit. I don't want to break something I care for some minutes of pleasure.
Some minutes ? That's all ? Think I'm unable to offer more ? »
Francis turned his head to try to see Fred's face, hidden behind a veil of smog. How there could be fog in a bedroom ? At the end, Francis didn't cared. He felt better, the mind free.
« If one day Greg dumb me of if I do I'll come to try your bed and you, I promise ! Anyway, the DA forget the idea to send the guy on the death row. It will be life without parole. Mark's bud told him than the jurors don't like to see people making justice themselves usually.
Not enough I guess.
I know. Anyway, nothing will bring dad back to life. Same for the poor guy they killed. Sometimes, I tell myself than I could had changed things.
How so ?
I was at the trial. Once I wanted to go to them but I didn't knew what I could say so I didn't. I told myself than seeing the son of their boy's murderer was not on their list. If I did it...
I dunno. Maybe it could had put you on their list too.
Who knows ? Mark told me that, yea. »
Fred let himself to slide on his back. Keeping his jay at his mouth, he stood up, opening his window despite the cold outside.
« Sorry, but if I don't air the room a bit, my sheets will reek the weed and they'll know. »
Laying on the bed, Francis kept his eyes closed, his mind fully at peace now.
Fred sat on a chair, wanting to give Francis some room, letting him getting his arms fully spread, the head and his legs hanging. The jays slowly faded away. Francis ended his slowly and Fred stood up to his drawer.
« Want more ?
- Mmm no thanks. It's tempting but... »
Francis looked at his watch.
« I must go now. I'm in dishes duty tonight.
Oh.
- Eh, the room is not free, I have my share of laundry too. At least I have a place so I can help to keep it clean. »
Francis stood up, hugging Fred, whispering a last « thanks » before to leave.
Fred followed him at the door. He got a chill seeing his mother's car coming closer, parking it and getting out slowly. Francis waved at her, leaving.
Daisy returned the wave before to get inside the house. Fred was busy moving his hands fast to air the place and scatter the last remnants of smoke he felt around him.
He stopped as his mother opened the door, closing it roughly, heading to the kitchen.
« Something is wrong, mom ?
- The men are dirty pigs ! All of them ! »
Fred tried to stay away from his mother's sight. He was not the reason but it seemed being more wise to stay away from the armed grenade. He looked anyway inside the kitchen where Daisy stood facing the sink, sitting on it then to try to calm down, not really suceeding.
« Everything's ok ? »
Daisy looked at her son's face. She felt better seeing his son being concerned about her. Fred had enough empathy to be aware of people's troubles.
« Offices stories, nothing else. »
Her voice was quiet now. It helped Fred who entered in the kitchen. She smiled at him.
« You have some left ?
Some what ?
The weed you shared with Francis. Have some more ? I know it's wrong but I need some now. »
Fred had the feeling to be hit by an high voltage flash. He tried to act as normal as he could but his mother didn't let him any time to prepare his defense.
« Please, Fred, I'm not innocent. I'm aware than you're smoking. I said nothing because your grades or yourself weren't affected so if you have some, I'll get some too today.
- You're smoking ??? »
More than to know than his mother knew, Fred was amazed to see her getting weed. He believed she never took something stronger than some glasses of wine before.
« Don't stare at me as if I was a straight porn movie, please. Have some ? »
Fred stood some more seconds before to nod shyly.
« Good. I don't want to know where you're hiding it, you can bring it here, please ? »
Fred mumbled a shy
« Some preference ?
- Indica or something like that. I'm not hurt, I just need to cool down. »
As if he was a walking dead, Fred went to his room then looked at his mother getting the jay at her lips, opening the window to let the fresh air to get in. His amazed face enjoyed Daisy.
« If only you could see yourself... My God, do you really thing I don't know anything about life ?
Eh, sure not, but...
- Not a word to your father, ok ? He's not ok about that. »
Fred agreed, looking at his mother puffing expectedly on the jay, seeming to enjoy the stuff's quality.
« I hop you don't pay too much for that stuff, it's not really strong. How can you have some by the way ? »
Fred woke up from his day dream.
« Depends. Most of the time in highs. There are ever someone who have a producer on his or her family and they' re picking up among the rejected lots.
- Well, it's true then than highs schools prepare you for life... »
Fred felt all the irony on his mother's words.
« How you knew by the way ? I always been careful. »
Daisy was amused.
« As if I needed to be a brain genius to ask myself why you were cleaning your room in the middle of winter while you're hating the cold... And for the record, the scent is stronger than you can think, and you're keeping your sheets too long, they have time to get the scent too. »
Fred couldn't deny that, indeed.
« Anyway, I hope than Sanders will get his brains cells back soon enough to realize what he did.
Your boss ?
That old fart asked to me to select candidates for an important task. I picked up 5 names and he chose someone else. A kind of whore who can barely talk but who knew his to shake her booty close enough to get the job. Can you image that ? No, you can't after all... »
Fred understood his mother's wrath.
« And your friend ? He came to get some or you... »
Fred shook his head fast, understanding the untold sentence.
« No ! No, he just needed a shoulder to cry on. We smoked a bit but i'm not selling.
It's nice to share your things. He's got troubles ?
Just some light bad mood. He lost all his family now than his father died. I know he has still an half-sister somewhere but he doesn't know where. He got an emotional blast with all those stories, all the lies he was told. I dunno how I had reacted.
He got the luck to have a good teacher then. No more family ? Even his gramps ? »
Fred stood facing the fridge, opening a can.
« Yup. He told me once they were dead too. It's quite rare now. I mean, Mines are too but everyone I know or so still have them. »
Fred turned around to talk to his mother. He saw on her eyes a light move when he talked about his gramps death.
First, Fred didn't really cared but soon a little voice talked on his head. Filling a void the boy didn't knew he had. Francis' stories, his jay and his mother's behavior just aligned the planets. Fred felt more the void, growing slowly in him.
« By the way...
Yea ?
How they died ? I remember than you told me something about a car accident like for dad's parents but I can't remember anything about the when and the where. »
Daisy's sight froze then on Fred's eyes. The boy felt than he got the finger on something important. Daisy stand mute and it began to scare Fred. She talked again, he voice not being the same. Tired, and filled with shame.
« That's true. You don't know nothing about the accident. But it's quite normal. »
Fred was listening and, after, he had to admit than he could never had guessed about what happened after.
« You know nothing because it never happened. There was no accident. Never. They're still alive. Well, I guess, I don't want to check on that. »
Fred was amazed. He looked at his mother revealing a big family secret he even didn't knew existing. For a moment Fred felt as Francis.
« They're... But why ? »
Daisy bite her lips, cursing herself to had to talk. She had no objective reason to do so and yet she did.
No, it was wrong. She had a good reason. Fred just talked to her about the drama Francis lived. She guessed what they could do to the boy's future and, knowing about her folks, she felt than her son could be too in troubles if she kept the secret away from her son.
« Follow me. »
Fred was asking himself so much questions. He followed his mother upstairs on her room. Fred looked around him while she was opening a drawer, sorting some papers and taking a closed box.
Fred recognized it. It was the box where his father's gun was hidden. He guessed the right lock number a day he found it and played with on some boredom day. Fred found fast the answer. His mother chose his date of birth.
Daisy looked at the empty place of the now sold weapon, taking out the protection, taking from under it some papers and a photo. She gave it to Fred.
« Take care of it, it's the only one I have, and I didn't scanned it. »
Fred looked at the pic. In color and took on a city, a quite dirty place seeing the bins. A whole family was posing, a bit uncomfortable on their sunday's clothes. Adults on the background and a bunch of nine kids of various ages in front. Daisy was behind her son, explaining it.
« They're your uncles and aunties. That pic is about twenty years old now. My guess is they're all married with kids now. Except for your uncle Daniel of course. »
Daisy was showing the elder son of the group. Fred knew about him, than he died before his own birth. He wondered a bit if it was true, but his mother's sight and her voice made him understand than it was true.
« Daniel was my elder brother and he always been my favorite, as I was his favorite sister. He were often together, it helped I guess. It's maybe why I ever told you about him. »
Daisy showed now one by one her other siblings she never talked about since all those years. She hesitated a bit on some names.
« Here's Josue. She's Deborah. The one looking like a bully is David but he was a nice boy. »
Jonathan, Rachel, Efrat and Esther completed the list, with her at the end.
« Hannah. »
Fred showed his mother's younger face on the pic.
« I picked Daisy as my new name. I was not ashamed of my jewish heritage. But that name remembered me too much my former life. I wanted to break all the ties. At least for a while. »
Fred understood that need to change.
« You left, then ? But why ? And why did you told me they were dead ? To hide my uncles and aunties from me ? And now cousins, for sure ? »
Daisy bite her lips more, Fred 's voice being filled with anger.
« Look at the pic and you'll understand. »
Fred got his attention back to the pic. The more he looked at his gramps, the more they seemed being severe and rigorous. But it's when he saw than the kids were dressed in the same way than he understood.
« They were Haredis and I left like Daniel did to not become like them. Since that day, I'm dead for them. And you don't exist for them too. »
Fred was listening closely, learning a bit part of his own history.
« It... It was that hard ?
- It was. They were loving and caring but they never let anyone question their faith or their living way. Daniel had troubles to deal with all that. He was a natural born troublemaker. The clash was inevitable and the day he turned 18 he left with only some clothes. That night my parents said the deaths Kaddish and they made us to say it with them. »
Fred was looking at his mother's face, feeling her emotions. It was the same time when she talked about her dead brother. It seemed than their bond was a quite strong one indeed.
« As Daniel was, I felt myself being fully Jewish. But I had troubles with my parents rigorism. I wanted to live a freer life. I was sad to see Daniel leaving but I knew he has no other choice. I wanted to leave too but I was not as strong as he was. And one day, I got the needed kick to leave too.
What happened ?
My father had a lot of friends and relations. One of them just lost his wife and one day, my father came back and told me than I'd be his future wife. »
Fred was mute.
« I knew a bit the man he was talking about. He was 30 years older than I was and my God I was only 17 at that time ! He told me that smiling, as if it was normal to offer his daughter to an elderly man she barely knew and for sure didn't loved. There was no discussion because he left just after that. I left the house and called Daniel since a public phone. I was shocked and I had troubles to just talk to him about that. He let me came on his room and I got calm slowly. I didn't wanted to come back home but Daniel told me I had too because I was only 17 still. They could had called the police. I didn't wanted to come back home but Daniel reminded me than the Shannah, the jewish mourning, would last at least one more year. »
Fred sat to listen to his mother, he knew a bit the hebraic rituals but some subtleties of the Haredis rituals was a bit unknown for him. He understood than during that period, a jewish widow could not getting married.
« I understood than I could take my time to prepare my departure. I came back home and did my duties as if nothing happened. The day I turned 18, I woke up, put my clothes on a bag and I left. »
Daisy's voice was calm again. She still felt the remorse to had to leave because she loved them still.
« Daniel checked on them after. That night, they said the Kaddish for me. I know there was no way back. »
Daisy stopped to talk, sat beside her son. Looking at him with a mix of pride and care.
« It was not so easy after. I shared a room with a Daniel's friend, learning the basics of secretaryship. Daniel planned to go to college first but he enlisted to make some money. When his term ended, he changed his mind and signed up again. »
Daisy's voice became sad again. Fred knew why.
« He found his place. Friends, a family. I'm glad he knew what happiness was. »
Daisy stood up, walking to the closet, taking a box card where it was written « taxes and mortages. » The curious Fred saw that box before but he never felt the need to look inside, thanks to the blunt words on it.
She put the box on her bed, opening it. There were old letters and photos and nothing about taxes on it. There are also two old notebooks, grey and spotted. Fred learnt that day a secure way to keep away a kid from something really precious. Just write something seemly boring on the box.
She looked at the books, turning the pages slowly. She gave them to Fred, closing the box and getting it back on the closet.
« You're old enough now to see what was inside. It's all what's left of Daniel. Letters, pics. And his diary he wrote since he left the house. I always kept those memories even if sometimes they hurt me enough to give me the need to burn everything. I want you to keep all that, Fred.
Me ? Why ?
Because I feel they will be safer with you. I know how good you are to hide me things from me. Even with time, I find everything. Your uncle's life stand on that box. You were away from all your family too much time. I don't know what happened to the others. I don't know where they live, nor their phone numbers. Nor for my sisters their maiden name. »
Fred got the box on his hands at last, looking at it. A white card box, dirted by time and dust. It was just an ordinary one, except the value of what was inside.
And she was offering it to him.
« They made you leave because of what you are. It's not that different about what Greg lived. For some other reasons, but it's the same. I understand better your reaction when you knew. I'm so sorry. »
Daisy was smiling at her son, an hand carefully on his cheek. Her unique child was making her so proud. John was right about that.
« Maybe they changed their mind since ? »
Daisy listened to her son's question, understanding it.
« I don't think so. After your birth, I made a nice pic of you. I wrote your name on it and our address and our phone number. I sent it with an acknowledgment of receipt. I even made a friend to write on the letter to be sure they would not throw it away seeing my writing. They had the letter, but they never answered to it. They never did. »
She was looking at him right on his eyes. She talked freely, without any sorrow or hate on her voice. Just bitter.
« They didn't changed their mind, I'm sure of that. We left more than once but I'm easily found on the net, Fred. I have and Headbook profile, a single search would lead them to me easily. They could do it anytime. They didn't. For them, I'm dead and you don't exist. »
Fred looked a the box, quite sad.
« If you want to try, you sure can. But we hand't the phone at home and I don't think they have one now. I don't see them going on social medias.
- I'll keep that in mind I guess. »
Daisy smiled. On Fred's meaning, it meant
« I'll search one minute or two and i'll forget that after for good. »
She stood up, rubbed her pants. Fred stood up too, going to his room, the box on his hands.
« Once you're done with the box, you'll come to the kitchen and you'll start the cooking. I don't want being late for dinner. »
Fred winced. Everything was coming back to normal it seemed, and his mother didn't forget to give him his cooking lessons.